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<blockquote data-quote="dvvega" data-source="post: 116854" data-attributes="member: 524">I let players ready actions even outside of combat.It's the same as when you were a kid (I'm assuming everyone has done something similar) and you were supposed to be studying but you were doing something else instead.&nbsp; You would keep an ear out for mum or dad to be coming to quickly switch over to studying. Not really combat, but valid.However I'm also very strict about their statements for a readied action. If they say &quot;My halfling readies his crossbow and shoots at anyone in the room&quot; etc, that's exactly what happens.If the bad guys do the same, everyone's readied action occurs simultaneously. What this means is:1) if you drop the orc he still gets to shoot you2) the wizard could get shot up but sleep the orcs at the same time3) everyone is flatfooted (so no sneak attacks, nothing since everyone was technically ready for everyone else)4) then everyone does initiative and life proceeds as normalBasically it's a mini-surprise round for everyone. It simulates the chaos of opening a door and seeing shapes in there etc.And yes, they've done it to friendlys before. It was extremely interesting, and required a lot of double-talk and Diplomacy to get out of it ... but was fun.One thing some of my more intelligent monsters do (those with class levels, especially Rogues, or who have Hide) is to hide either side of the door, or behind furniture and so forth.1) hiding either side of the door makes the room look empty, so diffuses the party's readied actions and moves the advantage back to the monsters.2) furniture and so forth provides cover.Monsters aren't stupid. If they're studied how to Hide, have a couple of levels here and there, they're going to use them to the best of their advantage.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="dvvega, post: 116854, member: 524"] I let players ready actions even outside of combat. It's the same as when you were a kid (I'm assuming everyone has done something similar) and you were supposed to be studying but you were doing something else instead. You would keep an ear out for mum or dad to be coming to quickly switch over to studying. Not really combat, but valid. However I'm also very strict about their statements for a readied action. If they say "My halfling readies his crossbow and shoots at anyone in the room" etc, that's exactly what happens. If the bad guys do the same, everyone's readied action occurs simultaneously. What this means is: 1) if you drop the orc he still gets to shoot you 2) the wizard could get shot up but sleep the orcs at the same time 3) everyone is flatfooted (so no sneak attacks, nothing since everyone was technically ready for everyone else) 4) then everyone does initiative and life proceeds as normal Basically it's a mini-surprise round for everyone. It simulates the chaos of opening a door and seeing shapes in there etc. And yes, they've done it to friendlys before. It was extremely interesting, and required a lot of double-talk and Diplomacy to get out of it ... but was fun. One thing some of my more intelligent monsters do (those with class levels, especially Rogues, or who have Hide) is to hide either side of the door, or behind furniture and so forth. 1) hiding either side of the door makes the room look empty, so diffuses the party's readied actions and moves the advantage back to the monsters. 2) furniture and so forth provides cover. Monsters aren't stupid. If they're studied how to Hide, have a couple of levels here and there, they're going to use them to the best of their advantage. [/QUOTE]

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